Realignment fever cooled a few degrees this week courtesy of the Big 12. Conference officials gathered at their annual spring meetings told ravenous media that the league is content with 10 schools and is not considering imminent expansion.

The “for now” and “near future” hedges will sustain conspiracy theorists, and indeed, history teaches that realignment dynamics can shift daily. But interim commissioner Chuck Neinas and Big 12 athletic directors were firm in asserting that expansion talk was brief and did not include discussion of potential targets.

Weaver and SEC commissioner Mike Slive have known one another for more than 25 years, dating to a 1980s NCAA infractions case at Florida, where Weaver was an administrator. Slive, an attorney, was advising the school – Slive also represented Virginia Tech in a 1980s NCAA violations matter.

Realignment likely will re-emerge on June 20 when Slive and his colleagues from the Big 12, ACC, Pacific 12, Big Ten and Big East convene in Chicago to continue hashing out college football’s postseason structure for 2014 and beyond.

I’ve heard from many how the ACC could be marginalized by, or excluded from, a four-team playoff. But I don’t see it, despite the conference’s recent on-field shortcomings.

A league that includes Florida State, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Miami and Georgia Tech won’t lack access. Fans, media and, most important, TV networks, wouldn’t stand for such a power play by the Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC and Big 12.

Those who say ACC teams couldn’t crack a top-four playoff field haven’t paid attention or have selective memory. Just last season Florida State, Virginia Tech and Clemson were among the Associated Press’ top six at various stages before fading. The Seminoles were No. 6 in preseason; the Hokies were No. 5 in the Bowl Championship Series standings entering the ACC title game, despite one loss and a soft non-conference schedule; at 8-0 and No. 5 in the polls, the Tigers were perfectly positioned for a national-title run.

Moreover, Virginia Tech’s two-loss 2007 squad finished third in the BCS standings. That same season, Boston College and Matt Ryan rose to No. 2 in the polls.

So the notion that ACC membership would impede a team’s playoff path doesn’t wash.

Presuming the commissioners agree to a format at their Chicago meetings, they will forward a proposal to the BCS’ Presidential Oversight Committee. Chaired by Virginia Tech’s Charles Steger, that group is scheduled to meet June 26 in Washington, D.C.

That’s all for now. Barring famine, pestilence or Notre Dame joining the ACC, Teel Time is taking a week-plus siesta. Catch you on the other side.

I can be reached at 247-4636 or by e-mail at dteel@dailypress.com. Follow me at twitter.com/DavidTeelatDP